Shaft-carrier



,(NoModeL) r V. W. A. RICHARDS.

I SHAFT CARRIER.

No. 374,203. Patented Dec. 6.. 1887.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VALENTINE W. A. RICHARDS, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

SHAFT-CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 374,203, dated December 6. 1887.

' Application filed March 2, 1887. Serial No. 229,472. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LVALENTINE W. A. Bron- ARDS, of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements in Shaft-Carriers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in shaft or thill carriers for harnesses, and more particularly to improvements in the shaft-carrier for which Letters Patent of the United States were granted to me July 20, 1886, N 0. 345,922, and the objects I have in view are to improve and simplify the construction and render the device more durable and more convenient.

In the drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved shaft-carrier. Fig. 2 is a detail section showing the means for securing the outer or free ends of the two parts to gether.

In the drawings, 2 represents the upper section or part of the carrier, to which the hook-shaped section 3 is secured by a suitable pivot, 4:-

-In order that the carrier may be conveniently attached or detached from the back straps of the saddle, and to dispense with any intervening strap or buckle, I form an open buckle-frame, 5, on the upper end of the section 2. This buckle-frame is preferably formed integrally with this part of the carrier. A suitable cross-bar, 7, is secured to the buckleframe, and upon this cross-bar the buckletongue 11 is mounted. It will be seen that I am enabled by this construction to provide a very strong buckle from which the carrier cannot break away, and that this renders the device simple, durable, and inexpensive. When a carrier of this kind is used with the construction of buckle shown in my former patent, the carrier may be thrown oft the strap when an attempt is made to open the carrier by pressing in on the lower end of the uppersection. With my present construction this objection is entirely obviated, and there is no inwardly-projecting portion to chafe the side of the horse.

The buckleframe and the upper section of the carrier will usually be cast in one piece.

The other feature of my invention consists in providing a support for the outer or free end of the lower or hook-shaped section of the carrier. The form of supporting device that is used for this purpose may be varied, as preferred. I have shown the lower end of the upper section of the carrier provided with a projecting stud, 15, that is adapted to engage a recess on the upper end of the lower section. WVhen the carrier is closed, the stud 15 engages the recess in the end of the lower section and forms a support for the outer side of this part of the carrier. The weight of the shaft on the lower section of the carrier holds it in engagement with this stud. The strain upon the pivot 4 is thereby partly relieved, and as the parts are held more rigidly,and an oscillating movement of the lower section on the pivot is prevented, the device is rendered much more durable.

The form of the projection and recess may be varied, and either the projection or the recess may be upon the upper section.

I claim as my invention- 1. The shaft-carrier comprising the upper section, 2, having the open buckle frame formed on its upper end, the cross-bar 7, and tongue 11, and the lower section, 3, hinged to said upper section, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, in a shaft-carrier, of the upper section, 2, having the projection 15 on its lower end, and the lower hook-shaped section, 3, hinged to said upper section and having a recess in its free end adapted .to fit over the projection on the upper section, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of February, 1887.

A. 0. PAUL, R. H. SANFORD. 

